A Pain in the "Bias"

Pain in the "Bias" dress with Grandma's (vintage) gloves.

I started this little number last week.  We all have our little survival mechanisms.  Mine is sewing. We've been getting through some very difficult weeks here. I stuck my head in the sand..or sewing machine - to deal with the emptiness my heart feels with my oldest son off to D.C.  He's always been a quiet one, but nevertheless, he leaves an awful loud silence with his presence in another place.  I've often referred to him as my steady anchor, and it's proving to be true as I certainly do feel this change in the wind rocks me about a bit.

This dress gave me a surprise.  What was suppose to be a simple project, turned out to be quite a bit of unexpected work.  Normally you cut fabric on the straight grain.  This way it keeps the fabric in place, tight and firm and from being stretched and pulled out of shape.  However, every now and then a pattern will call for the skirt to be cut on the bias - which is a 45 degree angle.  This WILL give the fabric stretch, but with the purpose of creating a more flowing piece.

Without boring a lot of you, we'll just say you have to let the cut piece hang for 24-48 hours while it falls and determines its shape.  I hadn't realized that one side had decided to stretch out longer then the other and I hemmed the whole thing up only to have to undo it completely.

As I was measuring and remeasuring this hem for the 3rd time (as it was stubborn), I found myself dwelling on how simple it would be if we could just cut and measure our hopes and dreams for our children on the grain--then stitch up those desires into one perfect piece, fitted just right for their lives.  I caught myself smiling at the thought of Luke's life, as it is unfolding and beginning to take a form all it's own.  He's being stretched and pulled in ways that will, in the end, shape him into a perfectly tailored young man.  It's not as simple as I would like it to be, but I think it will be worth it.  And so was my dress by the way! ;-)

front view..

All is well.  My heart is full.

(P.S.:  I wore grandma's gloves for vintage...and Yes Tatum, I know I need an updated pair of pumps!)

Home Coming....and Coming Home...

Luke and Tate's high school just recently enjoyed their Home Coming Week.  The football score is well hidden and forgotten after several school psychologists were bused in -- (joking...it's a new high school, so they were completely slaughtered).  But a good time was had by all at the dance.

As Luke and Tate both had dates I felt some "pre-thinking - planning" was in order.  I decided to make them a nice meal and pictured us all having a pleasant conversation as dad and I broke the ice.  What was I thinking?  Note to self:  When dealing with teens...Go With The Flow...  

It didn't take long for Matthew to realize that the awkwardness was smothering the group, so he politely suggested to me that the two of us eat later and leave the teens to themselves.  I'm sure it had nothing to do with me asking Tate several times (in front of her date) if she was sure she wanted to wear that dress.  

After several minutes we heard the laughter coming from the kitchen and were surprised when our guests asked if we'd sit down and talk with them.  We were thankful for this as it gave time for Matthew to give both boys the 'serious look' (you know, the kind that says, I have guns and I know how to use them). 

I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable with all this high school business.  I think they should have had a dance that celebrated the 'Nerd Day' they had that same week.  I much prefer our daughter in this outfit.  I am glad though, that both our high school-ers have made some great friends.

Matthew was a terrific dad as usual, chauffeuring the couples back and forth and seeing they all got home.  Some how I think he imagined his weekends off taking a different direction.  Thank you dear.  I love you. x  (and it was so nice to hear the kids thank you too at the end of the evening -- they are growing up!)

Baby Transformer

Last night was our skate night.  Daddy got T his hockey gear and T told him now he was going to skate by himself.  He's missing a Jersey and socks, so to me he looked like a baby transformer.  Here he goes for the first time on his own.

By the end of the hour he made improvement.  I couldn't believe it!  Yes, we were beaming.

Marshall joined us.  He is such a good skater.

It was an all around great day and night.  Earlier, Luke decided to finally give a go at getting his learners permit.  He forgot his glasses, which made me a bit annoyed, but as he passed the test on the first try and  the shift changed with our DDS assistant, they let the eye test slide and issued the permit...he is NEVER allowed to go driving without his 'eye gear'.  OMGoodness---there were only 4 giant numbers he had to read -- he didn't even know they were numbers...yikes!